The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-23
OCEAN LINERS IN COLLISION
Two of the Big Steamers of the White
Star Company Collide in Dense Fog.
Ponderous Iron Work Ripped and Torn Like
Pasteboard and Five of the Passengers
Instantly Killed-Exciting Scenes.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
NEW YORK, May q The steamship Britannia,
of the White Star line. which left New York for
Liverpool Wednesday last, ran into the steam
ship Celtic, of the same line. bound for New
York, on Thursday evening, during dense fog.
of Nantucket The Celtic struck just a bafs
the mizzen rigging ind dadly damaged. The
Britannia, however, sustained even greater in
jury, and was obliged to turn back to this port,
arriving off the bar with the Celtic about noon
to-day. The captains of both vessels were on
the lookout for other vessels and icebergs at the
time OF the collision, the fog being unusually
heavy. Four grown persons and little girl, all
Btserage passengers the Britannia, were
killed. and seven persons injured Two of the
latter. William Lawler, aged sixty-fve and Pat
rick Burke, aged forty five, had their arms and
legs broken and were brought to st. Vincent's
Hospital, this city, for treatment. The physi-
sians refuse to let them talk about the accident
The mail boat which brought them also
brought number of the Britannic's passengers.
Including G. P. Huntington. The two disabled
steamships are anchored off the Sandy-ho
light-ship.
The little girl referred to the daughter
of Mrs Robinson. of Fall River Mass. She
was knocked overheard and drowned Her
little brother had his arm crushed. Mrs. Robin
son was with her children on the Britannia.
The collision occurred about eighty miles from
the mainland, off Nantucket The Britannia
was her course heading about east by north
while the Celtic evidently lost, and had her
bow pointing about south. The first accounts of
the collision prove to have been incorrect in
stating that the Celtic was run into. The Celtic
struck the Britannia the port side. at the
mizzen rigging, and only few feet astern of
the after end of the boiler-room. The mzzen
rigging, iron-work and all, wrenched from
It's fastenings. Tho rail was torn
from its foundation as far aft as the
Igger mast. and the after turtle
back was carried into the air and overheard as
though it was made of pasteboard. The blow
was glancing one, the prov of the Celtic strik-
ing at less than a right angle. AS the striking
steamship glanced along the side it rebounded
twice in its course, smashing two small boats to
pieces and bending the heavy iron force pump
that stood near the butchers quarters over
against the deck like piece of tin. AS the bow
struck the pump it caught in steerage passen-
ger. whose name is not known, as he, irresolute
IL. in his excitement, was unable to get out of
the way in time and crushed him against the
iron, cutting the body completely in two.
little girl of about eleven years named Robin
son, who was with her mother and brother
her way TO England for visit. was also crushed
by the bow, her face and breast being split open
through the middle
The scenes that followed are variously de-
Bcribed. Mr.. e. Storey Smith, of Boston, a
passenger on the Britannia, was seen at the ST.
James Hotel tonight after he had been brought
up with the other passengers both cabin and
steerage. on the mail boat He said: There
was a very dense fog at the time of the collision
and horns were blowing continually Between
$50 and r. NJ, on Thursday we heard the fog
horn of another vessel / went on deck and
peered eagerly into the mist. There was a great
commotion our deck. / to the port bow
but il was not for several minutes that l could
see anything. Then distinguished the large
black null Of n steamer bearing down on u.s.
Signals 70 slow up given on our
vessel. We proceeding at about
regular fog speed, while the other steamer
seemed to have a little more headway on. AS
the approaching vessel discovered us she changed
abaft the steeraee gangway. Rebounding she
struck again and again. but with less force each
time, aud finally she slipped along under
stern and came partly under the other, the
starboard, side. There were evidently orders TO
launch boats although heard none given, for
half dozen boats were manned and launched.
The steerage passengers rushed for the boats,
but were driven back by the officers and crew,
and the ladies allowed embark first. Three
boat-loads were taken to the Celtic. and the
fourth was ready, when Captain Perry an
nounced tnAt there was no danger OF sinking, as
the damage was confined the fourth compart-
ment. which was full of water. This quieted the
passengers"
Mr. Smith believed that the killed numbered
four adults and "A little girl Some of the steer
age passengers, who quartered in lodging
house in West street at the expense Of the White
Star line, tell different story, and claim that
the crew did not behave well and monopolized